Momordica grosvenorii
Also known as: Siraitia grosvenorii, monk fruit, luo-han-guo, Momordica grosvenorii
Overview
Momordica grosvenorii, commonly known as monk fruit or luo-han-guo, is a perennial herbaceous plant native to southern China. It is traditionally used as a natural sweetener and in herbal medicine. The fruit contains intensely sweet, non-caloric compounds called mogrosides, particularly mogroside V, which is approximately 250 times sweeter than sucrose, making it a popular sugar substitute. Beyond its sweetening properties, M. grosvenorii is recognized for its potential pharmacological activities, including antitussive (cough-suppressing), antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects. Emerging research also suggests neuroprotective potential, particularly in the context of spinal cord injury. While its phytochemistry and biosynthetic pathways are well-characterized, clinical research on its therapeutic benefits is still limited, with most evidence derived from in vitro and animal studies.
Benefits
Momordica grosvenorii offers several evidence-based benefits, primarily due to its mogroside content. Its most established benefit is as a natural, non-caloric sweetener, making it highly beneficial for individuals managing blood sugar levels, such as diabetics, and those aiming for weight management. Mogroside V, the main active compound, provides intense sweetness without contributing calories or affecting glycemic response. Preclinical studies have also demonstrated significant antitussive (cough-suppressing) effects; for instance, mogroside V has shown over 50% inhibition of cough in animal models, suggesting its traditional use for respiratory ailments has a scientific basis. Furthermore, M. grosvenorii exhibits antimicrobial activity, with extracts and isolated compounds inhibiting various bacterial species, indicating potential for oral health applications. Emerging research, including network pharmacology and molecular docking studies, points to neuroprotective potential, particularly in spinal cord injury, by modulating key proteins involved in inflammation and repair pathways. While these secondary benefits are promising, they are largely supported by preclinical data, and human clinical trials are needed to confirm their efficacy and clinical significance.
How it works
The pharmacological effects of Momordica grosvenorii are primarily attributed to its triterpene glycosides, mogrosides. As a sweetener, mogrosides bind to sweet taste receptors on the tongue, eliciting a sweet sensation without being metabolized for energy, thus providing zero calories. The antitussive effect is believed to involve the modulation of cough reflex pathways, as evidenced by reduced cough episodes and increased latency in animal models. For its neuroprotective potential, compounds from M. grosvenorii interact with various signaling pathways, including STAT3, MAPK1, and RXRA. These pathways are crucial in regulating inflammation, cell survival, and repair mechanisms, particularly in conditions like spinal cord injury. Specific molecular targets identified include STAT3, MAPK1, HSP90AA1, PIK3R1, PIK3CA, RXRA, SRC, AKT1, CREBBP, and JAK2, which are hub genes in SCI-related pathways. While the exact pharmacokinetics of mogrosides are not fully documented, their glycoside nature suggests that gut microbiota may play a role in their metabolism and subsequent bioavailability.
Side effects
Momordica grosvenorii extracts and isolated mogrosides are generally considered safe, based on their long history of traditional use as a food and sweetener, as well as preclinical animal studies. No significant adverse effects or toxicity have been reported at doses typically used in these studies. However, comprehensive clinical safety data, particularly regarding common side effects, drug interactions, or contraindications, are not well-documented in the scientific literature. This indicates a need for more rigorous human clinical trials to fully establish its safety profile for therapeutic applications. Specific safety data for vulnerable populations such as pregnant or lactating women and children are also lacking. While monk fruit is widely accepted as a safe food additive, its use as a concentrated herbal supplement for specific health conditions requires further investigation into potential risks and interactions.
Dosage
Due to the limited number of human clinical trials, established dosing guidelines for the therapeutic use of Momordica grosvenorii are not available. In preclinical animal studies, antitussive effects of mogroside V were observed at doses ranging from 75-150 mg/kg in mice. For its primary use as a sweetener, commercial monk fruit extracts are standardized for their mogroside V content, and consumers typically use it to taste, replacing sugar. However, for specific pharmacological effects, the optimal human dosage, timing, and formulation (e.g., aqueous extract vs. purified mogroside) remain investigational. There are no established upper limits or safety thresholds for concentrated therapeutic use in humans, emphasizing the need for caution and further research before recommending specific dosages for health benefits beyond sweetening.
FAQs
Is monk fruit safe as a sweetener?
Yes, monk fruit is widely recognized as a safe, natural, non-caloric sweetener with a good safety profile, suitable for general consumption and for individuals managing blood sugar.
Does it help with cough?
Preclinical animal studies support the antitussive (cough-suppressing) effects of mogroside V from monk fruit, showing significant cough inhibition. However, human clinical data are currently lacking to confirm this benefit.
Can it aid spinal cord injury?
Emerging molecular and in silico studies suggest that compounds in monk fruit may modulate pathways relevant to spinal cord injury repair and neuroprotection. Clinical validation in humans is still needed.
Are there side effects?
No major side effects have been reported in animal studies or from its use as a sweetener. However, comprehensive human safety data, especially for concentrated therapeutic doses, are insufficient.
Research Sources
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2024.1388747/full – This review article summarizes the phytochemistry, pharmacology, and clinical applications of Momordica grosvenorii, highlighting its traditional uses, mogroside content, and potential for antitussive, antimicrobial, and neuroprotective effects based on in vitro and in vivo studies. It emphasizes the need for more clinical trials.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9891827/ – This study used network pharmacology and molecular docking to predict the therapeutic effects of Momordica grosvenorii on spinal cord injury (SCI). It identified key compounds and their potential targets (e.g., STAT3, MAPK1, RXRA) involved in SCI repair, providing a theoretical basis for its neuroprotective potential.
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-85689-2 – This research focuses on the elucidation of the mogroside V biosynthetic pathway in Momordica grosvenorii using genomic and transcriptomic analyses. It provides detailed insights into how the plant produces its characteristic sweet compounds, confirming their high sweetness potency.
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1155/2023/1638966 – This study further explores the potential of Momordica grosvenorii in spinal cord injury (SCI) using network pharmacology and experimental validation. It identifies specific compounds and their interactions with key proteins, such as STAT3 and MAPK1, suggesting a role in modulating inflammation and promoting neural repair in SCI.
- https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1604828113 – This PNAS study details the discovery and characterization of the mogroside V biosynthetic pathway in monk fruit. It identifies the enzymes and genes responsible for the production of these intensely sweet compounds, contributing significantly to understanding the plant's unique properties.
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2023.1253255/full – This article discusses the nutritional and health benefits of Momordica grosvenorii, focusing on its role as a natural sweetener and its potential therapeutic properties. It reviews the current scientific evidence supporting its use in various health contexts, including metabolic health.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16619338/ – This research, likely cited in the provided text as Liu et al., 2007, investigates the antitussive and expectorant effects of mogroside V from Momordica grosvenorii in animal models. It demonstrates that mogroside V significantly inhibits cough and promotes expectoration in mice, supporting its traditional use for respiratory conditions.